Custom prefix locations in Linux

[BLACK4585]

Hey,
I have an external game added to Steam. Since it's an external game, I need to sync the save games myself to my Laptop, as Steam doesn't do this. Steam creates prefixes with a random ID as the name for external games, thus I cannot simply use the default Steam folder and ludusavi manifest for syncing since the prefix has another name on my laptop. Currently, with the Prefix in the default steam compatdata folder, the ludusavi manifest fully works and syncs my save games. So I moved the prefix in Steam to /home/black/Games/Prefixes/GAME_NAME. Then I tried adding /home/black/Games/Prefixes in Ludusavi as a root folder with different configs. I tried Steam/Wine-Prefix/Miscellaneous. Nothing works. So this is my first question:

• What about a new root folder config like "Prefix Folders" marking a folder which includes multiple other Prefix folders? Or is this a) not possible to match games correctly and or b) is this already possible to define somehow?

So he last option I saw is to use the 3 dots on the already recognized Prefix inside the Steam prefixes and select edit. It then copied the Manifest entries to the custom games tab and used the <winLocalAppData> placeholder.

• How can I now tell Ludusavi to use the /home/black/Games/Prefixes/GAME_NAME folder to use as root for the placeholders? Better /home/black/Games/Prefixes/Expedition33/pfx/drive_c/ as this is the virtual C Drive. Or do I need to replace the placeholder with a "hardcoded" path?

Thank you very much in advance!

[mtkennerly]

Hi!

Steam creates prefixes with a random ID as the name for external games

For reference, as long as the non-Steam game shortcut has the same title (or similar) that Ludusavi expects, then Ludusavi can figure out what that ID is. However, Ludusavi only knows to look in compatdata for that ID right now.

So I moved the prefix in Steam to /home/black/Games/Prefixes/GAME_NAME

How did you move it? Did you let Steam make the prefix and then you moved it with a symlink, or did you create it manually and register it with Steam? Do the non-Steam game properties in Steam have anything for specifying a different prefix path?

What about a new root folder config like "Prefix Folders" marking a folder which includes multiple other Prefix folders?

I could add support for using the <game> manifest placeholder in root paths, as in /home/black/Games/Prefixes/<game>. That doesn't work right now, but I think it would make sense to add.

[BLACK4585]

For reference, as long as the non-Steam game shortcut has the same title (or similar) that Ludusavi expects, then Ludusavi can figure out what that ID is. However, Ludusavi only knows to look in compatdata for that ID right now.

Yes I can see that as backing up works for this game. But would Ludusavi restore the files to the right prefix with another name on my Laptop? In the mapping the paths are hardcoded with files: /home/black/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/2214836883[...] as an example, so I don't think so?

How did you move it? Did you let Steam make the prefix and then you moved it with a symlink, or did you create it manually and register it with Steam? Do the non-Steam game properties in Steam have anything for specifying a different prefix path?

I let Proton create a Prefix on the new Path using STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH=/home/black/Games/Prefixes/Expedition33 %command% and just copied the prefix files over. There is no other or Steam GUI native way to set custom paths for prefixes.

[mtkennerly]

Yes I can see that as backing up works for this game. But would Ludusavi restore the files to the right prefix with another name on my Laptop?

No, you're right, it wouldn't automatically map between the IDs. The IDs might match because they're not random - they're based on the title and path you entered when you created the shortcut (even if you edit them later, it's based on the initial values). But if the title and path are different at all, then the IDs will be different, and Ludusavi won't automatically handle that.

I let Proton create a Prefix on the new Path using STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH=/home/black/Games/Prefixes/Expedition33 %command% and just copied the prefix files over.

Ah, I didn't know you could do that. Thanks!

I can let you know when I have a build to try with the <game> placeholder support.

[kartikynwa]

From what I understand, this should just require adding the wine prefix for that game as a custom root.

edit: I am wrong. Adding a custom root helps in detection of a game's saves but it does not (at least in my case) handle differences in (for example) Linux usernames, prefix locations, etc.